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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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12 yr old girl just diagnosed with OSA
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Member Since:
15 June 2017
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1
15 June 2017 - 6:22 pm
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 Hi there. My 12 year old pit bull mix, Hanna, was just diagnosed with 98% chance of OSA. I just got home from the vet with her after she woke up from the X-ray anaesthetics. Her chest X-rays came back clear. They mentioned we could do an one biopsy to verify but advised against it because of how painful it is + the current odds. 

I'm feeling pretty numb right now and haven't had a chance to let all of this sink in. I've come close to breaking down into tears but had to hold myself back. I think my way of processing is to find other people that have gone through this and see their experience and try and learn from them. 

The oncologist recommended this website. 

I've read a couple forum posts and this community seems very helpful to deal with what I'm going through.
I was hoping someone could point me towards where to start with this website and forum?

Ive got Jerry Required Reading list as a great jump off point. 

But my wife and I are trying to figure out what to do now, Hanna is 12, we were quoted $3500-$5100 for the amputation, $3000-$3500 for the IV chemo. 

Im assuming these are standard stats too :

left untreated : 1-2 weeks

pain meds only : 1-2 months

amputation : 2-4 months

amputation + chemo : 10-12 months 

this is all very scary and overwhelming, I haven't even had a chance to really wrap my head around. I'm going to take the advice of this board and BREATHE. Take a day to let this sink in. Have an open conversation with the wife about all our options and see what to do that is in the best interest of Hanna. 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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15 June 2017 - 6:32 pm
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hannasowner said
The oncologist recommended this website.

That's great to hear. Can you please tell us where Hannah is being treated?

Stats shmats...our vet gave Jerry 4-6 months. He loved life on three legs for two years, without IV Chemo. And that was back in 2006. And we have have heard from those whose dogs did not make it through surgery, and everything in between. It certainly sounds like you've been doing your homework and Hannah is in good hands.

Everypawdy here understands that numb feeling. Our best advice is to Be More Dog , and that's not just some silly saying. While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Please keep us posted, your future forum posts will not require moderation.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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15 June 2017 - 7:16 pm
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Please keep in mind that you do not need to decide on both amputation and chemo now.  There are many reasons people elect not to do chemo, and finances are a legitimate reason.  And the statistics are not a guarantee.  We did chemo and my Otis only lived almost 7 months.  I have no regrets, however.  They were almost 7 really special months.  And many dogs who did not do chemo lived longer.  If Hannah is otherwise healthy, and you can swing the finances, you should definitely explore amputation.  It will relieve the immediate pain of the osteo.  I was very happy that I made the decision with Otis, and would do it again in a similar situation.

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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16 June 2017 - 9:30 am
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Sorry you find yourselves here, bit as you can see from the two great replies above, there is no better place to be for support and information ! Goodness knows we all understand the stress, the fear, the uncertainty !

Once you decide on a treatment plan though, that will give you some relief. Whatever decision you make will be out of love for Hanna and that is always the right decision.

Yes, keep things chunked down for now. And continue with the deep breaths, B R E A T H E.......B R E A T H E..........

Have a conversation with Hanna. Sounds like she has a lot of zest for life and is a good candidate should you proceed with the amputation amputation will remove that very painful leg and give Hanna more quality time for loving and spoiling. She doesn't have a time frame stamped in her butt and she could care less about days on a calendar. She loves in the moment and has no worries!

Let is know any questions you may have. We understand like no others can!

Look forward to seeing pics of Hanna!

Hugs to all

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Member Since:
31 May 2016
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16 June 2017 - 10:22 am
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Its just so overwhelming, isn't it? I was told the same things as you. I knew in my case (Clyde was 9.5 at the time of his diagnosis) that I wanted to try something, but I could not afford chemo. Since getting him pain free was the most important thing to me, I went the amputation route. Also factoring in to that decision was my almost pathological fear that his leg would break while I was at work if I tried pain management alone.

Clyde had his amputation on June 2, 2016. And he's still happily hopping along today, more than one year later, with no chemo! He's beaten the stats so far, and I am thrilled. But I would have been thrilled even with 2 or 3 months, because he has done so well as a tripawd and hasn't had any pain issues once he healed up from the surgery. I went in with no expectations that he'd ever make it this far, and even thinking we'd probably only have 3-6 months together (that's the range my vet gave me for amputation without chemo), it was worth it.

This community has been such an important resource to me. Just reading about others, and being able to ask questions from those who have gone through this process is such a blessing. Please stay connected and ask any questions you may have.

Kristin & Clyde the wonder doggy

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